Mankunzini breaks into Mzansi cricket circles
FORMER Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team captain Bongani Mankunzini has taken up employment in South Africa.
Mankunzini, a former Tuskers Logan Cup winning player, started work on 1 July as Johannesburg juniors’ manager for LastManStading.
He is excited about his latest challenge and is hopeful that with the gained experience he will return home some day to develop the sport.
“I am the Johannesburg juniors’ manager. I am based at the LastManStanding offices in Johannesburg and I have over 32 teams that I am working with.
“It’s quite a big challenge and I am relishing every moment of it which is worthwhile in my continuing development as a coach and administrator,” said Mankunzini on Thursday at his Zoo Lake Sports Club offices.
The 27-year-old whose promising career was cut short by a back injury, is managing teams with the following age-groups; Under-9, 11, 13, 15 and 19s drawn from all over Johannesburg.
“I manage their programmes which include competitions and league fixtures,” said Mankuzini. He also organises tours and tournaments. “It’s a challenge and I love challenges. It is very demanding with over 150 teams that I ensure play regularly and the requisite number of games to ensure measurable growth of players,” he added.
The former Tuskers player whose other accolades include captaining Zimbabwe Under-19s, founding the Level Two Umpires’ Certificate to his credentials.
“I have reached a stage where I have to grow as a coach and person and I believe my present work environment provides such an opportunity. I like the enthusiasm in cricket here. People live, sleep and eat cricket here in South Africa and it is no surprise that the game is big,” said Mankunzini.
The coach who has been in South Africa since March says facilities and quality sponsorship were also driving enthusiasm in the sport.
“Cricket in South Africa is played all year round. There is nothing like its cold, hot or raining as there are also indoor facilities for training.
“This leaves players with more time on the field to improve their skills and national competition is from Under-9s up to seniors be it club or provincial allowing a wider base of players active in the game,” said Mankunzini.
He said Zimbabwe has potential and needed to have a co-ordinated development plan with regular competition from Under-9s up to senior level with proper coaches in charge,” he said.
Mankunzini, who was in India recently on cricket duty with his new employers, said he would be reaching out for cricket equipment to donate to schools and clubs back home.
“Obviously a number of factors about cricket here are favourable. My wish is to be getting equipment that I can donate back home for the development of the sport in Bulawayo and Matabeleland.
“Better equipment allows players to perfect their skills,” said Mankunzini as he took this writer on a tour of the facilities at his new work place.